Occurrence of Guernella raphaelis Richard, 1892 (Crustacea: Cladocera: Macrothricidae) in Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia

Abstract

The occurrence of Guernella raphaelis Richard, 1892 in Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia, is reported. The specimens are briefly described and compared with literature data. The Colombian specimens are very similar to previously described Brazilian and Argentinean populations, presenting four setae on the inner distal lobe of trunk limb I and ciliated lamella on postabdominal claws. On the other hand, they differ from New Guinean specimens which present three setae on the inner lobe of trunk limb I. The present observations support the idea that Guernella raphaelis could be a complex of species, reinforcing the necessity of a revision of this genus.